Page 31 of Her Last Warning
Rachel felt a chill run down her spine at his words, though his expression remained perfectly pleasant.He had no idea just how relative that comment was to the case.As they made their way back to their vehicle through the drizzling rain, Harvey Dyson's last comment still cut at her.It was a comment that sounded far too much like the notes the killer had been leaving behind.
But David Shook needed them now, and Claire Dyson was safe in the hospital, surrounded by staff and security.
Still, as they pulled out of the driveway, Rachel found herself looking back at the quaint brick house with its innocent garden ornaments and broken door frame.In the growing gloom of the stormy afternoon, the ceramic angels seemed to have taken on a different aspect—less guardian spirits now, and more like silent witnesses to secrets they couldn't, or wouldn't, reveal.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
The rain seemed content to barely fall at all, just enough to require the minimum setting on the car's windshield wipers.They scraped along the windshield with a little whining groan as Novak turned back onto Park Avenue.Dusk had officially fallen across the city by then, giving the wet cobblestone an odd glow in the headlights and painted the streets in shades of slate and shadow.Streetlights were just beginning to flicker on, their glow diffused by the persistent drizzle into hazy halos that did little to pierce the growing darkness.
Rachel shifted in her seat, her muscles tense from hours of driving.The case had been consuming her thoughts in a way most past cases had not, each victim's face etched in her memory.Robert Hayes.Marcy Connors.Michelle Lester.And now, if they didn't move quickly enough, David Shook might join that list.She couldn't let that happen.Not again.
As they drew closer to where the unmarked police unit was parked, Rachel pulled out her phone and brought up the last number to call her—Officer Nelson.She called him back, putting it on speaker so Novak could hear as David Shook's house came into view through the rain-streaked windshield.
"What do we have?"she asked, keeping her voice low despite their distance from the target location.
"Grey Honda Civic, two spaces in from the end of the block," Nelson reported, his voice crackling slightly over the connection."Same side as Shook's house.Been there twenty-five minutes now.The driver is female and so far, she’s gotten out twice."
"But she’s still in the car?”
“Yeah.It’s odd.The first time was about twenty minutes ago," Nelson began."She got out casual-like, no hurry.Walked up past Shook's place, maybe fifty feet or so beyond his house.Just strolling, like she was looking for an address, you know the type?Kept checking her phone, like she was confirming a location."
"What was she wearing?"Rachel interrupted, her mind already building a profile.
"Dark jeans, grey sweater.Nothing remarkable.Turned around, went back to her car after maybe two minutes."Nelson paused."Second time was different though.This time, she had put on a black zip-up hoodie.Only went about five feet from her vehicle, but she stood there staring toward Shook's house for a good minute before getting back in."
"Any interaction with passing pedestrians?"Novak cut in, his eyes scanning the street ahead.
"None.She actually seemed to actively avoid eye contact with the few people who passed by.Kept her head down, turned away when anyone got close."
Rachel's jaw tightened."How long ago was the second exit?"
"Ten minutes.She's been sitting there ever since.Engine's off, but she's still in there."
"What about the house?"Rachel asked."Any movement from Shook?"
"Lights came on about thirty minutes ago when it started to get dark.Saw him through the front window briefly, looked like he was on the phone.Nothing since then."
Rachel nodded, though Nelson couldn't see it."Thanks to both of you.For now…just stay on standby.We might need you before this is all over."She ended the call and turned to Novak."Find us a spot where we can watch that Civic without being obvious."
Novak guided their unmarked car down another block, pulling into a space that gave them a clear view of their target while keeping them partially concealed by a large delivery van.The rain pattered steadily on the roof as they watched the Honda, its grey paint almost silver in the gathering darkness.
"Classic pre-attack surveillance," Novak said quietly, his eyes fixed on the Civic."The first pass – that's getting the lay of the land.Checking for cameras, security systems, escape routes.You see it in every planned attack.I guarantee you this is not her first time checking out the house."
Rachel nodded, her fingers drumming unconsciously on her thigh."Second pass is different.Shorter, more focused.She's confirming specific details now.Entry points, lighting..."She trailed off, that familiar leaden weight of certainty settling in her stomach as the darkness thickened around them.“Maybe even working up her nerve.”
"The clothing change is telling," Novak continued, shifting slightly to maintain his view of the target vehicle."She's preparing.Getting ready to move.The black hoodie would make it harder for her to be seen while also hiding her face directly.”
"And the sustained observation period – she's waiting for optimal conditions."Rachel checked her watch, the illuminated face reading 6:04 PM."Dusk is perfect.Still enough light to see what you're doing, but growing dark enough to help conceal movement."
"You shocked it’s a woman?”he asked.
“Not really.If this entire quest of theirs has been about seeking some sort of revenge for a loss they’ve suffered women are just as susceptible of falling prey to that as men.Maybe even more.”
Novak nodded his agreement."Maybe this is more than a revenge-fueled rampage.She's calculating.Cold."He paused, watching a couple hurry past the Civic, huddled together under a shared umbrella."Should we confront her now, while she’s in the car?”
Rachel had considered it herself but found that it might be better to catch her in the act.It would make it harder for her to backpedal and come up with excuses.There was a very small risk involved, but nothing she and Novak couldn’t handle.
They fell comfortably into silence, the only sound the steady patter of rain and the occasional swish of cars passing on the wet street.Rachel felt her muscles tensing, that pre-action coiling that came from years of experience.Something was about to happen.She could feel it in the air, in the way the shadows seemed to deepen with each passing minute.
